Rise of sea level occurs when the ice on the North Pole melts due to Global Warming. The ice, also known as “white areas” reflects the heat waves exactly like a mirror and when these areas melt it will cause even higher temperatures. When the water’s temperature rises it expands and there will be even more water in the seas.
The lowest areas in Denmark are expected to be flooded because scientists estimate that sea level will approximately rise 0.5 meters and according to the worst predictions it will rise 3 meters within this century. Therefore it is a good idea to build dykes along the coastline and improve the sewer in the cities. Rise of sea level will also affect the landscape and the ecosystems, because some species will vanish and new ones will arise.
Tidal meadows are the piece of land, which is situated between ocean and land. It is vegetated with for instance Michaelmas daisies in contrary to the beach that is not fertile. Among other things the meadow ant, the beach toad and many sea birds live there. These species exist and breed only at the tidal meadows.
As a result of the rise of sea level these areas will be flooded. Animal and plants will try to survive by moving further into the country. The core of the problem consists of the cultivated and manipulated land done by mankind. For instance the further one move up the country the more fields and dikes will hamper the survival of these species.
To prevent flooding of cultivated land dikes could be build closer to shore, but that will also destroy the tidal meadows because they demand regular flooding by seawater. This hampers the conditions of life for animals and plant living in this area.
The population of birds will change. Many species, which are living in Denmark today, will be replaced because the condition of live is gradually changing. Approximately 20 % of the species will be replaced by other foreign ones.
Butterflies are also very affected by climate change, because they are sensitive to temperature changes. The caterpillar’s only food is the snapdragon, but due to the climate changes the snapdragon has developed differently. Even though we are only talking about three days the caterpillar will die due to starvation. This happens to other species too and the ecosystems are undermined.
Sources:
- http://ing.dk/artikel/30033-naturvidenskab-jordens-dyr-soeger-nye-graesgange?highlight=klimapanel
- Finn Vanman
Hi.
ReplyDeleteGood to see your blog. You have done a nice job. It would be great if you could supply your blog with a picture of a danish tidal meadow if you can find a good one.
Yours Finn